New to investing? These are the 5 best investment apps for UK beginners in 2026 — compared by fees, ISA availability, referral bonuses, and ease of use.
Was this article helpful?
£10
You earn
Investing used to feel like something reserved for people in suits with six-figure salaries. Not any more. In 2026, you can start building a portfolio from your phone with as little as £1, and several of the best UK investment apps offer free shares just for signing up.
But with so many platforms available, picking the right one matters — especially when you're starting out. The wrong app can mean confusing jargon, hidden fees, or features you'll never use.
We've compared the top investment apps available to UK beginners to help you find the best fit. Every app on this list is FCA-regulated, offers a straightforward experience for beginners, and keeps costs low.
| App | Commission | ISA | Min. Deposit | Referral Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | £0 | Free | £1 | Free share (up to £100) |
| InvestEngine | £0 | Free | £100 / £0 | Welcome bonus |
| Freetrade | £0 | £5.99/month | £2 | Free share (up to £100) |
| eToro | £0 stocks | No | ~£40 | Varies |
| Lightyear | £0 US | Free | £1 | Varies |
Before diving into the list, here's what actually matters:
Minimum deposit: £1 | Commission: £0 | ISA: Free | Fractional shares: Yes
Trading 212 consistently tops UK beginner lists. The app is clean, intuitive, and genuinely commission-free for buying and selling stocks and ETFs.
Key highlights:
The AutoInvest feature is particularly good for beginners. You create a "pie" of different stocks or ETFs, set how much to invest each month, and Trading 212 handles the rest.
For a deeper look, read our full Trading 212 review.
Best for: Complete beginners who want zero fees and a simple start.
Minimum deposit: £100 (managed), no minimum (DIY) | Commission: £0 | ISA: Free
InvestEngine is ideal if you'd rather not pick individual stocks. It offers two modes:
Key highlights:
Best for: Beginners who want a managed, diversified portfolio without paying fees.
Minimum deposit: £2 | Commission: £0 | ISA: £5.99/month | Fractional shares: Yes (US)
Freetrade is designed so anyone can buy their first share in minutes.
Key highlights:
The main drawback is the ISA fee — £5.99/month (£71.88/year). For small portfolios, this can meaningfully eat into returns. For larger portfolios, it becomes negligible.
Best for: Beginners who want a simple app for picking individual stocks.
Minimum deposit: ~£40 | Commission: £0 on stocks | ISA: No | Fractional shares: Yes
eToro pioneered social investing — the idea that you can learn from and copy successful investors.
Key highlights:
Important: eToro has a $5 withdrawal fee and a ~1.5% currency conversion fee since accounts are USD-denominated. No ISA is available, meaning your gains are subject to UK Capital Gains Tax.
Best for: Beginners who want to learn from experienced investors through copy trading.
Minimum deposit: £1 | Commission: £0 on US stocks | ISA: Free | Fractional shares: Yes
Lightyear has quickly earned a reputation for transparent, low-cost international investing.
Key highlights:
Most UK platforms charge a hidden FX fee of 0.5%–1.5% every time you buy a US stock. Lightyear lets you convert once and hold USD, saving significantly on repeated trades.
Best for: Beginners focused on US and international markets who want transparent FX costs.
For most UK beginners, Trading 212 offers the best all-round package — zero fees, free ISA, fractional shares, and AutoInvest for hands-off investing.
If you'd rather someone else manage your portfolio entirely, InvestEngine's free managed option is unbeatable.
If you want to learn from other investors, eToro's CopyTrader is worth exploring — just be aware of the FX and withdrawal fees, and the lack of ISA.
Yes, as long as the platform is FCA-regulated. All five apps on this list are FCA-authorised, meaning they must meet strict financial conduct standards. Your cash is also FSCS-protected up to £85,000 at most platforms.
As little as £1 on Trading 212 and Lightyear. You don't need thousands — small, regular contributions compound significantly over time. The more important thing is starting early rather than starting big.
A Stocks and Shares ISA is a UK tax wrapper that lets you invest up to £20,000 per tax year without paying Capital Gains Tax or Income Tax on your returns. It's the most important account for most UK investors — always use your ISA allowance before a general investment account.
Not inside an ISA. Outside an ISA, UK Capital Gains Tax applies above the annual allowance (£3,000 in 2026). Most beginner investors with smaller portfolios won't exceed this threshold, but it's worth being aware of as your portfolio grows.
Trading 212 and Freetrade both offer a free share worth up to £100 when you sign up through a referral link. The value is random — most people receive £5–£20, but it could be higher. Browse current verified investment app referral codes on EasyEarns for up-to-date offers.
For most UK beginners, Trading 212 is the better choice — the ISA is completely free (Freetrade charges £5.99/month), and AutoInvest pies make it easy to automate investing. Freetrade has a slightly cleaner interface and offers a SIPP for pension investing, which Trading 212 doesn't.
